The largest and the busiest city in Bangladesh, Dhaka may seem like a regular, commercial city to you in the first glance but it's much more. It's a place that grows on you with time, and when it does, it's difficult to forget its many experiences.
If this is your first visit here, you can choose among the many Dhaka day tours. The tours will help you see the city in its entirety and one can also choose customised tours according to individual preferences. Lal Bagh Fort, Liberation War Museum and Ahsan Manzil are some of the must-visit spots in Dhaka.
Do include Baitul Mukarram Mosque in your itinerary. It is the 10th largest mosque in the world and is a sight to behold. Sonargaon is another wonderful place to include in your itinerary. An erstwhile administrative centre of Bengal, the site makes for an interesting visit outside Dhaka. Sitara Mosque is named so because it is decorated with a million stars and is a delight to explore.
There are a number of options to stay in Dhaka and you can choose one according to your budget or preference. Read More

After a quick and uneventful flight we began our descent to Dhaka. The views as we flew in were pretty cool, it's an island framed by rivers and agricultural land. From the air it looked to be currently pretty waterlogged.
We disembarked the plane into the sun, the weather was hot and humid again, like India. We squeezed onto a rickety airport bus to take us to the terminal. En-route I noticed one of the ground staff had also dyed his beard the same bright orange as the man on our flight. Curiouser and curiouser, what was this orange beard thing I thought. Some strange fashion statement maybe, the latest fad?
Immigration which was a pretty straightforward process due to us being able to get Visas on arrival. There was just a little hassle as we didn't have any accommodation pre-booked. Bangladesh immigration requires hotel contact details before you granting a visa. A quick google search to find a hotel name and phone number though and we on our way.
Airport Entertainment
A little girl of about three years old entertained us in departures whilst we waited for our next flight. She seemed fascinated by us and wouldn't leave us alone, laughing and chattering away. After we'd walked to our gate, we suddenly realised the little girl had followed us all way across departure lounge. Her dad grabbed her and told her to say bye bye, which she did with a little wave and blew us kisses...cute!
We boarded a little turbo prop plane with about sixty people on it. Across the aisle from us was another man with a flaming orange beard. I was now wondering if it was something cultural and made it my mission to find out what was behind it. I later discovered that around one in five older Muslim men in Bangladesh dye their beards and/ or hair orange with henna. It's to show their devotion to the prophet Mohammed who dyed his beard.
Bags collected, security waved us straight though. In fact security seemed pretty lax, they also waved through the chap in front of us who was holding a 9mm pistol. A little concerning to say the least.
We found domestic departures and Andy went to buy tickets for the next flights to Cox's Bazar in South Bangladesh. I waited with the luggage, swatting at the cloud of mozzies that tormented me.
It was Andy's turn to do the planning for Bangladesh. He'd decided we'd fly straight to Cox's Bazar for five nights, saving Dhaka for the last two. With only a week to spend in Bangladesh, Andy was keen to not do a typical Tanya whistle-stop tour, visiting lots of places with only a night or two in each. We had no idea what to expect of Cox's Bazar, but thought we should give it a look as it has the longest unbroken beach (about 174km) in the world.
Andy returned with a ticket for the wrong return date giving us only three full days there. Well that wouldn't work especially if we were going to have a trip to Saint Martins island too as I hoped. I was most perturbed and may have put my parts on a bit (I blame it on tiredness and hunger). After returning my grumpiness (being together 24/7 was taking it's toll a bit I think), he changed the flights for right date.
Arrival in Cox's Bazar

The last couple of days we found ourselves back in Dhaka, which we pretty much spent holed up in hotels as we felt really unsafe, something I’d never experienced anywhere before even when travelling as a solo female. We treated ourselves to a bit of luxury the last night in The Westin.

One of the most important cities of North Bengal, Murshidabad comes with a rich history. Once a stunning example of grandeur, power, culture and beauty, the erstwhile centre of the nawabs was from where the revenue of the whole state of West Bengal went to the king in Delhi.
Till date, Murshidabad and its historical monuments are a tourists' delight and the local communities welcome everyone with warmth. This place is also one of the most important Jain pilgrimages with the four most important jain temples of Bengal situated here. These are the Sri Chintamoni Parshwanath Bhagwan Temple in Azimganj, Shri Shambavnath Bhagwan Temple in Jiyaganj, Sree Adinath Bhagwan Temple in Katgola and other one is in Murshidabad itself.
You can also visit Hazar Duari Palace, a palace with over 100 doors. Now a museum, the palace is definitely worth visiting. The intricate art work in the museum is a delight for art enthusiasts. Another lovely spot is Katra Masjid. Go during visiting hours for a memorable experience. Read More

The city of Murshidabad in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal has seen a rich history right from the time of the Mughal Empire. Get a taste of a long gone era when you visit its historical places like the Hazarduari Palace, Nazamat Imambara, Katra and Madina mosques, Jafarganj cemetery and Khush Bagh cemetery which houses the graves of the Nawab Ali Vardi Khan and his mother Siraj ud Daulah. The place has a glorious past is a welcome change from city life.Distance from Kolkata : 239 KmsRead More About Murshidabad West Bengal Tourism Guide ...

The capital of Bengal during the Mughal period, Murshidabad stands at a distance of around 230 kilometers from the state's current capital. The best way to get to Murshidabad from Kolkata is by train, which takes around six hours. Murshidabad is best visited between October and March to avoid extreme heat. Finding accommodation is usually not a problem, but as always, make your bookings in advance to be safe rather than sorry!

Bankura has gradually gained attraction as a popular tourist destination. Located in West Bengal, Bankura is home to various art and architecture spots, terracotta temples, dense virgin forests, hills and scenic beauty spots.
Susunia, the second highest hill of Bankura, is famous for rock climbing, trekking and attracts adventure enthusiasts and tourists because of its natural springs.
The Biharinath Hill has the highest altitude in the district. It stands guard on the northwestern border and is believed to be an age-old centre of Jainism. The one-of-a-kind Rasmancha Temple is located at Bishnupur in Bankura and is regarded as the oldest brick temple in India!
Garh Darwaja is a terracotta gateway situated in Bankura near Bishnupur. The best time to visit is during the annual four day Bishnupur Mela held around the last week of December. The Mukutmanipur Dam, Krishna-Balaram Temple, Amarkanan and Koro Hill, Gangdoha, Ganesh and Nandi Statue are also famous tourist spots and worth visiting.Read More

The food was nothing we have here in Kolkata. Indian 'french' toasts, rice and dal, noodles-this place has everything to offer. But,don't really expect to be sitting at air-conditioned restaurants.. Sitting at a small hut-like food-shack and hearing stories from the locals is what you'll be missing out in the restaurants.

Best time to visit - January,February,July,August,September,October,November,December

Jamshedpur is the largest city in Jharkhand and is situated on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the East Singhbhum District. Also known as the 'steel city' for its number of established steel factories, the city was founded by the late Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata and is also called Tata Nagar. The planned industrial city is enclosed by Dalma Hills with the rivers Subarnarekha and Kharkai winding through the cityscape.
Major attractions of the city include the Tata Steel Zoological Park, Dalma Hills, Hudco Lake and Pardih Kali Mandir. The Jubilee Park offers a wildlife safari, giving travellers a closer experience of wildlife. The annual flower show held in December at the Sir Dorabji Tata Park attracts countless numbers of tourists and locals. The Dalma Hills, famous for spotting wild elephants, offers great opportunities for adventure trekking and mountain climbing. The confluence of the rivers Kharkai and Subarnarekha is another attraction Jamshedpur is popular for. A holiday experience here will remind you of any other metro, though there are spots that will surprise the traveller in you!Read More

Start your exploration of the culturally-rich state with the Hotwar State Museum in the capital city Ranchi that gives an insight into the lifestyles of the tribes and explore the collection of paintings, carvings, and bow and jewelry in its 10 sections. In the art village of Amadubi, 65 kilometres from Jamshedpur, Pyatkar paintings, cultural dance performances, and local dishes give you a taste of rural Jharkhand.

After good food we left towards our home, Jamshedpur. The road in Jharkhand was pretty bad as most part was either under construction or were very uneven. The humps, bumps and jerks made us realize that we have entered Jharkhand . Also advisable that the route is not safe at late night and should be avoided as far as possible. We too got too late due to the bad road condition and reached Jamshedpur at 12 : 45 pm at night.The scenic beauty all along was beautiful and the most beautiful part for the trip is Andhra Pradesh, esp Rajahmundry that has amazingly beautiful nurseries along the highway. This part was covered on our return trip as while coming it was dark and we couldn't really see the green all along AP. Overall, the farms, the trees, the road, the food (esp at Odisha and AP ), scenery and the diversity of culture that we saw along the highway and places that we halted left us with beautiful memories and amazing feeling. Shared below the photos while returning.

The twin towns of Malda and English Bazaar make for an unusual holiday destination. Serving as a gateway to Bengal, one usually spots Malda on the way to Siliguri from Kolkata.
Malda is a very small city, though the places surrounding it are considered to hold great architectural significance. Some of these destinations are also mentioned by the Archaeological Survey of India, including Gour, Farakka Barage and Jouhra Kali Bari.
Gour, the erstwhile capital of Bengal is home to the original footprints of Lord Mohammad and it is very well preserved here. Adina is home to a beautiful mosque and if you have a few hours to spare, this small town deserves a visit. If you are a history buff, Malda will be a pleasure to discover, though you'll have to do a little research before setting out to explore.Read More

When we reached at Malda it was already 12:30 am. We reached Souma's Aunt's place. Had some dinner , get some sleep for about 2:30 hrs. We had slept only 2-3 hrs in the last 24 hrs and traveled more than 300 km by road that was too in uncomfortable conditions.We boarded on the train from Malda at about 6 o'clock. Not that its the best place I have ever visited , but something was special about the Darjeeling trip. There are a lot of things I have learnt from this trip , most importantly -1. Never delay when you need a trip, no matter whatever it takes.2. Unplanned trips are better, but only for off seasons.3. If you want to go for unplanned trips always make sure of two things that you know about the place , and you are physically fit for any type of situation.4. It is hard to go for a unplanned trip that even in budget. But if you are physically fit enough to stay in any type of room, travel in uncomfortable conditions and not allergic to local foods , you can travel anywhere without planning and within budget too.5. Traveling makes you wiser, happier and more fearless - if you trust this you can travel anywhere no matter the hurdles comes in your way.

Digha is the most famous seaside resort town in the state of West Bengal. Situated only 187 kilometres away from the capital of the state, Kolkata, it is well equipped with hotels and various other tourist facilities. The sunrise and sunset reflecting off the misty blue water of the Bay of Bengal offer the most picturesque view.
Digha was originally known as Beerkul and it started gaining fame when in 1923, an English tourist by the name of John Frank Smith got so greatly allured by its charm and magnificence that he started living there and writing about Digha.
Being a seaside resort town, Digha naturally offers a number of stunning beaches such as Digha beach, Udaipur sea beach, Junput beach and Shankarpur beach. Chilling at these beaches, swimming in the water, or simply lying down admiring the view is a blissful experience. Besides its beaches, Digha also offers other places of interest, the most popular being Digha Gate, Marine Aquarium and Research Centre (MARC) and Lord Shiva Temple at Chandaneswar. With its extremely picturesque beaches and enticing charm, Digha never fails to impress its visitors.Read More

Sit back and relax on the rocky beach,watch the spectacular sun rise and take a walk amidst the palm trees. The red crabs , shoreline stretching into the infinity,and the waves would provide you the much needed respite from work. Serve yourself with exotic seafood, fish delicacies and local Bengali cuisine in the form of Pomfret, Rohu, Bhetki, Fried Fish and Tiger prawns.Watch the breathtaking sunrise at the Old Digha sea beach to kick start your weekend.

Digha, a weekend escape every bengali loves to go and loves to lost in the sound of waves. One saturday I with my friends planned to go one of my friend's place at Jaleswar. By evening our plan to enjoy the sea at Digha was made. Few kilometers away from Mohanpur by car we reached Digha. Digha beaches are the oldest ones and quiet favourite place among every bengali. Digha brings you the calmness of the sea in its quiet beaches. When we reached by evening high tide was going on, giving yourself to the serenity we were lost in the sound of waves, the cool breeze and the beautiful red sky. The rising water was too playing with us, everytime we keep our shoes and belongings on the beach and getting busy with sea, few minutes later we found our shoes being floating in the waves and we would again keep them more away to avoid being washed away. The joy it bringing made us forget all our daily worries. The mighty sea had taken all our city commotions. Time was passing with every wave. Sitting on the stones at the beach and seeing the orchestra of waves will make your soul like listening to unheard music of nature. The waves were just like the music player organised in studio, the clashing of waves, one wave repelling back from shore and another coming to the shore. Hours can be spend watching this orchestra of waves.

This sea-side city is located around 200 kilometers away from Kolkata. Being an extremely popular destination, it is generally a good idea to make your bookings in advance. Don't be fooled by the number of hotels you will have the chance to choose from. Most of these will be booked way in advance during the peak season, or a long weekend. Seek out beaches that are less crowded. Try the fried fish that the locals sell. Stock up on sea shells. Follow the trail left behind by crabs. Sip on coconut water like a true tourist while lazing under an umbrella on the beach. There was a time when the average Kolkatan's weekend getaway to the seaside always spelled out Digha. But slowly, with the rise of Mandarmani and Shankarpur- two new sea-side towns, Digha has faded into the background. But it is still worth a visit, and the popularity of new places means that you might just be able to find that peace and quiet that you are looking for on your weekend getaway.

The most popular beach of Bengal. It's very crowded usually but you got to find the right places to be. Digha is now Old digha and new digha. Although very commercialized by now, the charm of eating fried fishes by the beach hasn't ceased to exist for an average bengali guy!

There are two beaches at Digha: the old one and the new one, which is usually known as New Digha. Two days are enough for this place as the place doesn't have much to offer but beaches. The water is choppy and swimming doesn't really look like a good option here as the beaches seem deceptive at times. Although, it can be a good weekend getaway near the beach.

A beautiful resort town in West Bengal, Bakkhali is a lovely weekend destination! This is another of the few deltaic islands of South Bengal that juts out into the Bay of Bengal. Bakkhali is also a part of the Sundarban Marshes and is an isolated area. The twin town now makes a single locality and there is also a beautiful beach here which stretches from Bakkhali to Frasergunj. The beach has hard sand and is thus suitable for cycling, walking as well as driving. Henry's Island, a few kilometres away is a great place to spend your day! There are a couple of guest houses here which offer lovely views of the sea!Read More

Not being a sea food lover this was the first time that I saw so many varieties of fishes. Being hungry we ordered a few prawns, stingrey and pomfret (one that I learnt to eat in my Chandipur trip). Fresh, fried and best.Note: Don’t miss trying these here, they cook it for the customers there in front of you and they have a huge variety.

When the city life gets too much to bear, you can visit one of the best places to visit near Kolkata within 200 kms – Bakkhali. This quaint beach town is located on the West Bengal coast. Take a short trip to Bakkhali and indulge in the local cuisine of the area. The seafood is fresh from the sea. Bakkhali is beach destination in West Bengal that calls for a short weekend getaway from Kolkata. The place is famous for its long stretches of clean beaches which you can have all to yourself if visited during off season. Other tourist attractions include the Bishshalakshmi Temple and a crocodile park. Bakkhali Beach is located on the south-western tip of the Sunderbans. The white beach touches the forest delta of Sunderbans, offering a tropical experience like no other. This place is fuss-free and travellers can enjoy the solitude Bakkhali is known for. Bakkhali derives its name from the word bak, or red-beaked seagull which can be found in the area. The best time to visit this beach destination is from October to March would be. Want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? Take a short 4-hour road trip to Bakkhali in West Bengal, and you will find yourself in a completely different world.Distance from Kolkata : 126 KmsRead More About Bakkhali Tourism Guide ...

This crescent-shaped beach in the deltaic region of the Sundarbans is the southernmost point on the map of beaches in West Bengal. The island is one of the many deltaic islands in the region, some of them connected by bridges. The waves lapping on the shore at sunset, a warm breeze and infinite blue sky are some sights to behold. The hard terrain of the Bakkhali Beach makes it perfect to cycle around this island.How to reach: The distance from Kolkata to Bakkhali is 125km. Covering the distance by car takes only 4 hours.

The best thing about Bakkhali is the beach. It's peaceful, non polluted and free from hawkers and noisy tourists. The Fraserganj and Bakkhali beaches are side by side and Fraserganj is even more peaceful. The beach has a typical fishy smell which takes time to get used to. There are no hip hop restaurants or shacks or water sports facility here. But that's the reason you come to Bakkhali. To be in peace with yourself.
Best thing here is to lie down or sit on a chair and read novels. Or chat with your family. Or discover love with your spouse. The afternoons can be a bit hot. So best time to take a stroll is early morning and evening.

It's a seaside resort in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. It is located on one of the many deltaic islands spread across southern Bengal. This place offer salubrious surroundings to the tourist where he/she can sit near the beach and sip coconut water. The main attractions are Bakkhali Beach, Henry's Island and Frazergunj.